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[CLKD]

Ummmm ........... OK until the cow decides to get up - bum first? 

Going no where, it's chucking it down 

[sheila99]

Why do farmers continue with cattle if they are in a 'risk' area for TB?  Is there nothing else that can substitute ....... I know that many lines have been developed over the years but sometimes it seems like banging head against a wall.

The stress and worry ........... as well as affection for the beasts.   

Not for us. Land isn't good enough for arable and mixed cows and sheep is better for the land. Cows eat the long rough grass sheep won't eat and provide muck. And sheep aren't safe on any land out of earshot with a footpath across it.

Minusminnie it's great old dairy cows have a career path that doesn't include burghers but I hope they have good insurance. However placid the cow they're so much bigger and stronger than us they can harm us without meaning to.

[Minusminnie]

Minusminnie it's great old dairy cows have a career path that doesn't include burghers but I hope they have good insurance. However placid the cow they're so much bigger and stronger than us they can harm us without meaning to.

I read the article & wondered what my dad would have made of it. He was a tenant farmer most of his life took it over with little choice at 17 after my grandad died.  He believed in education to get out of it. As kids we helped at times but never encouraged into farming.
Maybe people paying to hug the cows might have made life easier ?  If it’s alpacas I’m happy to pay to walk one. 

[CLKD]

Morning Sheila - I would love to visit ........... llamas and those large white/creamy coloured Eastern European dogs will sort out foxes and intruders ;-). 

[sheila99]

Minusminnie it's great old dairy cows have a career path that doesn't include burghers but I hope they have good insurance. However placid the cow they're so much bigger and stronger than us they can harm us without meaning to.

I read the article & wondered what my dad would have made of it. He was a tenant farmer most of his life took it over with little choice at 17 after my grandad died.  He believed in education to get out of it. As kids we helped at times but never encouraged into farming.
Maybe people paying to hug the cows might have made life easier ?  If it’s alpacas I’m happy to pay to walk one. 

I tried that but it didn't work! It got to covid and daughter decided she'd had enough of education and daughter decided she's following her father into farming. As soon as he could walk OH followed his own father round the farm, there's no way he'd have done anything else.

[sheila99]

Morning Sheila - I would love to visit ........... llamas and those large white/creamy coloured Eastern European dogs will sort out foxes and intruders ;-).

Llamas and alpacas are supposed to protect sheep from predators but I think you have to have a single one or they'll protect their own species but not the sheep. Haven't tried it though. It might work for foxes but against dogs I suspect the outcome would be an alpaca torn to shreds as well as the sheep.

[CLKD]

I don't think so: they are fierce animals when threatened and I believe are kept in groups because like sheep, they need companions.  They have a backward kick that will stun a dog as well as spitting vomit when threatened ........  . Did I ever tell u about my Dad and a female llama at Whipsnade ........

[CLKD]

Cuddling cows on Local News this evening.  However: 'blue tongue' has been diagnosed in the South and what are the chances of visitors carrying disease into farms   


Do llamas protect against wolves?

Llama's can be successful guard animals since they naturally dislike canines.

When the flock is in danger they become aggressive towards coyotes, wolves, dogs and foxes. When protecting the flock, llamas are alert and may alarm call and position themselves between the flock and the trespasser.

Research suggests the use of multiple guard llamas is not as effective as one.  [no idea which research  ]

Multiple males tend to bond with one another, rather than with the livestock, and may ignore the flock. A gelded male of two years of age instinctively bonds with its new charges and is very effective in preventing predation.